Table 7 Propagation, regeneration and management practices of Blighia sapida in Benin

Propagation and regeneration practices

Assisted tree regeneration

Favour natural regeneration

Young plants are staked to be easily visible and protected from tillage, grazing and fire

Transplanting of wildings

Use of naturally regenerated seedlings and saplings

Seedlings and saplings are removed and replanted in an appropriate area and given essential care

Sowing

Multiply the best provenance with the preferred fruits traits

Seeds from the most vigorous or best fruit yielding trees are selected and put together. After germination during the rainy season, they are transplanted in an appropriate location to receive care

Management practices to improve production

Ringing

Stimulate fruit production

A shallow 10 cm-wide ring of bark is cut from the trunk at breast height just before flowering

Grazing protection

Avoid destruction of seedlings and saplings by domestic animals

Establish fence of cacti or rocks around the seedlings and saplings

Tree/crop association

Diversification, soil protection, shadow for cultures, creation of microclimate favourable for crops

To leave naturally growing or planted ackee trees in farmland and to plant crops such as millet, sorghum. maize, yam in the same field

Pruning

Improved fruit production, reduction of shade on understorey crops, firewood

Cutting back certain branches

Fire protection

Avoid fire damages to trees that affect fruit yield and destroy seedlings and saplings

Tillage, weeding and clearing around the seedlings, saplings and trees

Mulching/organic fertilization

Rapid growth of seedlings and saplings and increasing fruit production

Leaf mulch, animal manure, compost and crop residues near the root and sprinkling with water